Department of War Intendants Office 26^th: Nov^r 1798. Sir, I have received your letter of the 24^th inst, enclosing an Abstract of articles purchased by Ebenezer Stevens as Agent for the War Department, at New York between the date of his appointment, and the 20^th day of Aug^t 1798. I shall immediately make the proper entries to hold him accountable for the due application of them. I am Sir Your most Ob^t Servant. Samuel Hodgdon [M^r Simmons Esq^r Accountant.] Philadelphia 26^th November 1798. Sir, I have examined the enclosed letter and beg leave to report the following as my opinion on the subject of proposed The twenty Pieces of Ordnance orderd by the Legislature of New Jersey should be composed of ten six pounders, Six three Pounders and four five and a half Inch Howitzers. The first will cost about three hundred and fifty Dollars a Piece, the second two hundred Dollars and the third two hundred and fifty. A suitable Field or Travelling Carriage for a Six Pounder will cost about One hundred and fifty Dollars, for a three Pounder One hundred Dollars, and for a five and a half Inch Howitzer one hundred and thirty Dollars. By this calculation the twenty pieces of Brass Ordnance completely mounted will cost Eight thousand five hundred & twenty Dollars. This information is probably all that is required, but I cannot content myself without making some further observations which may possibly be considered by the State of Jersey as of some importance. All who are acquainted with the Service of Field Pieces know that the preference is given to Brass on account of their lightness and being less liable to bursting. If these objections can be removed which I think they easily may be. The State for the money the Brass Pieces will cost may have, at least five times the number of Iron Pieces which I think equally good. Muller gives the preference to Iron Guns and says that after repeated trials he can warrant the Strength of such Pieces will be found equal to any Service. Iron Pieces can be had at all times at short notice, which is another circumstance that should give them a preference. I am Sir Your Most Obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon James McHenry Esq^r Secretary of War. Philadelphia 26^th November 1798. Sir: I have perused Captain Frye's letter: I am of Opinion that until Armourers are raised and attached to the Troops as is the case in time of War, the small repairs wanted to Musquetry at Posts contiguous to cities ought to be done by private Workmen under the direction and conduct of the Commanding Officers of Corps, who should Certify the Accounts to the nearest Agent of the War Department for payment, and such Certificate ought to be conclusive. The transportation of Arms wanting small repairs would expose them to further damage or perhaps absolute loss, and the charge of transportation would be more than the repairs. In the present instance I think Captain Frye had better deliver his damaged Arms to Colonel Stevens in York to be repaired and returned. Sam Sir Your Most Obedient Servant Samuel Hodgdon James M^cHenry Esq^r